This collection consists of 48 deeds (1801-1907), legal documents and notes related to land ownership in Pitt County, North Carolina, in the area that became Ayden. The documents pertain mainly to the Harris, McGlohon/McLawhorn, and Cannon families, especially William Henry Harris, the founder of Ayden. Also included are a blueprint plat of Ayden (June 21, 1890) and copies of 2 clippings (1991-1992) about the founding of Ayden. Additional items which have been placed in the East Carolina University Archives are a 1915 yearbook for East Carolina Teachers Training School (now ECU), a 1915 folded card for the Junior-Senior Reception at ECTTS, and a calling card all belonging to ECTTS student Katherine (Kate or Katie) Eugenia Sawyer. This collection is donated by the family of John William Sawyer.
William Henry Harris, born August 20, 1842, was a farmer in Pitt County, North Carolina who was well known for his quality cotton, hogs, hominy, and tar products. In 1889 he convinced the Atlantic Coast Railway Company to build a supply depot on a 40 acre plot of his land. He then sold the developed land around the depot to local families. The small town, first known as Harriston, was incorporated as Ayden on February 3, 1891 and is today home to around 5,000 residents. William Henry Harris died on May 12th, 1918, at the age of 75.
This collection consists of land deeds with accompanying notes, transactions, and other documents (1801-1907) that pertain to the founding of Ayden in 1891. The land that Ayden was founded on changed ownership a number of times and this collection reflects that. Most of the land was originally owned by the Slaughter and Cannon families who sold the land to the McGlohon/McLawhorn family, who then sold it to the Harris family. William Henry Harris officially founded the town and began selling multiple plots of land to various families. This collection also includes a blueprint of Ayden (1890). The blueprint shows the major landmarks such as the railroad line, avenues, and plots of land which formed the core of the town. Two newspaper clippings (1991-1992) are also included with this collection. One which is titled "An Early History of Ayden" commemorates the centennial anniversary of the town. The second clipping entitled "Descendants of Ayden's founder visit recently," is an article about a visit by the grandchildren and great grandchildren of William Henry Harris.
Gift of Barbara Sawyer Saurborn for the family of John William Sawyer
Processed by Matthew Lowe, September 25, 2019.
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.